UAE startup Immensa Technology Labs has announced plans to open a state-of-the-art 3D printing facility in Saudi Arabia. Immensa Technology Labs has been based in Dubai Production City, a business community for the global publishing, printing, and packaging industries, since 2016. The company employs 22 people in the UAE and exports to numerous markets including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, and North America among other places.
Many jobs will be created when it opens the 8,000 sqft complex in the Eastern Province this year. To expand its reach, the company will also establish a presence in Abu Dhabi, the US, and other global markets as 3D printing demand continues to rise.
Expansion comes after HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, unveiled the 3D Printing Strategic Alliance to further accelerate Dubai’s transition into a leading 3D printing hub.
Majed Al Suwaidi, Managing Director of Dubai Production City, said: “The UAE has the vision to become an international leader in 3D printing technologies and this announcement demonstrates that demand for Dubai-based talent, knowledge, and innovation is increasing locally, regionally and internationally.
“Our infrastructure, ease of doing business, networking opportunities, and annual roster of events is set up to ensure startups, SMEs, and multinational organizations at Dubai Production City can establish themselves and excel. Immensa Technology Labs’ expanding market share is a homegrown success story worthy of recognition in such challenging times.”
Fahmi Al-Shawwa, CEO of Immensa Labs, said: “The UAE has done a great job in building an ecosystem that encourages startups and young companies to innovate. Dubai is far ahead of the rest of the region when it comes to the number of successful startups that continue to enjoy success here and overseas.
He added. “Establishing our presence in Saudi Arabia is a natural extension of what we have built in the UAE, and we are currently establishing our presence in the United States, with our setup in Houston, Texas. As for 2021, we will continue to expand and are eyeing a number of regional and international markets to establish operations using our base in Dubai Production City as a vital launchpad for international expansion.”
Immensa Technology Labs was founded in 2016 during the launch of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s Dubai 3D Printing Strategy. Immensa was part of the international group which was led by DNV GL and included Shell, Equinor, Total, BP, Siemens, and other global organizations in developing the guidelines for the production of 3D printed metal parts for the Oil & Gas and Maritime Industries.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it remobilized its manufacturing operation to produce more than 20,000 3D printed face shields per week, supplying local and international companies including Emirates Food Industries, Hira Industries, and Sheikh Khalifa Hospital in UAQ.
Its industrial 3D printing technology allows companies to run a virtual warehouse to store ‘digital twins’ of spare parts traditionally kept in storage. When a new item is required, the company logs onto its digital inventory, downloads the asset, and 3D prints it, significantly reducing costs and boosting supply chain localization.